USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Lafayette > History of St. John's Church > Part 6
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Then death came to one who had been with us all of his short life, who was a regular attendant upon our services, and whose kind and gentle manners and great suffering had endeared him to all who knew him. In remembrance of Freddie Henning, we have brougth to our altar God's fresh flowers.
As the year advanced once more death came-in a moment, with no warning-and took from the mother her stay, her well-beloved son, from sister and brother a kind brother, and from the Sunday-school a faithful scholar. As a memorial of the life and services of Irwin Kuntz, we bring our flowers here.
Following on, in the course of the year, death en- tered another household, and took from it its joy and light the wife and mother, from the church a member kind and generous, and, as a fitting emblem of the life of Mrs. Lou Hoes, we bring to-day our floral memorial to God's house.
Then the summons came to one who, though he had grown to years of maturity, was still in the flush and bloom of youth; one who attended our Sunday-
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school as a scholar, and for a year was with us as a teacher. Death called him in a far-distant land,* and his body was borne across the ocean to receive the last prayers of the church of his infancy, and though years have intervened since he was with us, we have not forgotten him, but have placed near our altar another floral memorial to the memory of Eugene Ball.
Then, last of all ('twas only yesterday), death called another of our little ones-a bright, capable and useful little girl, a faithful scholar of our school.
And while her grave is fresh and green, as is her memory in our hearts, we bring our flowers here for Lottie Plant.
These services to us are pleasant and consoling. When we lay our friends away in the warm, fresh earth, from which are springing the beautiful, fragrant flowers, it is not with the feelings of those "who sor- row without hope," but with a knowledge and hope of a joyful resurrection from the grave, feeling sure that-
"The soul of origin divine, God's glorious image, freed from death, In Heaven's eternal sphere shall shine, A star of day."
Easter offerings were then presented, and the following poem, written for the occasion by Mr. J. M. Ewing, was read by him :
*He was United States Consul at Pesth, and died suddenly in Vienna.
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"HAIL! TO THE EASTER DAY.
"Hail! all hail! to the Easter Day, When angels rolled the stone away, And Christ came forth from 'mongst the dead To reign as our exalted head. Death is o'ercome, the grave despoiled, The powers of darkness have been foiled; He's risen-now let the news be borne Upon the glorious Easter morn.
" Vain is the seal that guards the spot The Roman soldiers watched for naught, The powers of earth and hell combine In vain to thwart the great design. Just as the tints of morning bright Judea's hill tops touched with light, Ere loved ones could their tribute pay, He 'rose upon the Easter Day.
" Through all the world the tidings bear, His resurrection's power declare That as we all in Adam die, Since Jesus has gone up on high, We, too, like him shall burst the tomb, And quit the grave with all its gloom, Foreshadowing all in joyful lay Upon this festal Easter Day.
" Up to God's house we come to-night, Before the shrine our vows to plight, To celebrate with one accord The triumphs of our risen Lord. Free offerings in our hands we bring, And joyful Easter songs we sing; We hear His word and praise and pray, Upon our happy Easter Day.
" The fairest flowerets we bring, Fit emblems of the opening spring; The lily with the rose combines, While round the graceful ivy twines.
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The hyacinth, begonia, pink, That in the morn the dewdrops drink, And fragrant violets scent the way On this our beauteous Easter Day.
" All in their tinted glories shine, To illustrate the bright design Of bodies mouldering in decay, Then bursting forth in spring's glad day. Sown in weakness, raised in power, We'll patient wait 'til time's last hour, When we shall rise in full display, Like flowers upon this Easter Day.
" And here upon our chancel stand Memorials formed by skillful hand, Love's tributes to the cherished dead Who slumber in their narrow bed. They, too, at the last day shall rise, And seek their home beyond the skies In Paradise, in bright array As flowers that bloom on Easter Day.
" Then hail! to the joyous Easter Day Our gladsome homage here we pay; And raise our voice and sing God's praise, Who, wondrous in His works and ways, Did send His Son for us to die, That we with him should reign on high; Anointed kings and priests for aye, Hail! hail! this sacred Easter Day!"
The instruction given in the Sunday-school has been almost entirely from catechisms. Various Sun- day-school papers have been taken at different times, but only one is taken at present-The Shepherd's Arms, a weekly paper, for the infant class. St. John's has never had a mission Sunday-school, but always among its members might be found many children
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from among the neglected classes of society. At one time Mrs. Julie Reynolds gathered up a large class of this kind, which for several years she taught, visited in their homes, supplied their daily wants, and on Christmas was a veritable Santa Claus to them. Among the teachers whose names have come to us are, first, those of the infant class-Mrs. J. T. Merrill, who for several years taught this class, it finally num- bering seventy-five. She was succeeded by Miss Nettie Garland, who was equally successful, and lastly, Mrs. Margaret Earheart, who is at present the teacher of what is still by far the largest class of the school. Among the other teachers were Mrs. Hannah Howe, who also for many years had charge of the Christmas tree. Miss Brockenbrough, Mrs. Russ, Mrs. Joseph Yundt, Mrs. J. C. Harvey, Mrs. I. L. Beach, Mr. J. B. Falley, Mrs. George Stockton, Miss Dane Brawley, Miss Mary McFarland, Mrs. Sue B. Rose, Mrs. M. J. Noble, Mr. John Rose, Mrs. B. W. Langdon, Mr. Moyer, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Ewing, Miss Nellie Schilling, Miss Lily Garland, Mr. Charles Mayo, Miss Alice Mayo, Miss Eva McCormic, Miss Etta Fultz, Mrs. Robert Morey and daughters, Miss Sabine, Miss Riley, Miss Anna Bayle, Miss Julia Fry, Mr. James L. Yundt, and many others. The librarians were Mr. B. F. Bruff, who served for many years, Dr. J. W. Fahnestock and Mr. Edward Carver. The Sunday-school has always been self- supporting. The first Sunday in every month the offering is devoted to the orphanage which Bishop Knickerbacker is trying to found. The infant class give all their money for this purpose, and it is a beau- tiful and touching sight, upon his visits here, to see
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them present their gifts, reciting, as they do so, some appropriate verse or text. This year the Sunday- school is organized as follows: Superintendent, Dr. William Pettis; assistant superintendent, Mr. J. L. Yundt; treasurer, Miss Brockenbrough; teacher of Bible class, Dr. Pettis; teacher of infant class, Mrs. Margaret Earheart; other teachers, Mrs. Joseph Yundt, Mrs. William Pettis, Mrs. F. Patt, Mrs. J. C. Harvey, Mr. John R. Semphill, Misses Grace Taylor, Mildred Adams, Gertrude Crary and Lily Garland. The scholars number 105. A short time ago the Sunday-school was presented with a beautiful new organ by Mr. George N. Stockton. Under the efficient and watchful care of the treasurer, there is a very comfortable sum in the Sunday-school treasury.
LADIES' WORK.
From the founding of the church to the present day the ladies of St. John's have been very active in church work. Our first rector was fortunate in having for his wife a lady in every way worthy of him (there could be no higher praise than this), and she began the ladies' work in the church. The teachers in the Sunday-school have been almost ex- clusively ladies, and they have also attended to the de- tails of the benevolent work of the church. From the time when Mrs. Berilla Smith went among the people trying to induce them to come to church and Sunday-school, distributing the religious books then in vogue-Doddridge's Rise and Progress in Religion in
-
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the Human Soul; Lyman Beecher's Theology, and McIlvaine's Evidences of Christianity-to the the pres- ent time the ladies have shown great interest in add- ing members to the church. The decorations of the church have also been largely their work. This in- volves a great amount of labor, as at present three times a year-on Christmas, Easter and the Harvest Home festival-the church is profusely decorated. They have also taken an active part in adding to the financial resources of the church. In the files of the early newspapers of LaFayette will be found many notices of the sales of their work. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Mary E. Wells started the first Ladies' Sewing Society. The first fair was held in Bainbridge's store- room, on the corner of Main and Fourth streets. There was a great deal of plain work sold, and also finely-embroidered silk aprons and infants' cloaks, which sold for five dollars each. The refreshments were placed on the counters, and each one helped him- self, paying for what he ate. There was no ice in the town at that time, therefore no ice cream, but the dessert was peaches and cream. All denominations contributed and assisted. At this first fair one good Presbyterian lady sent a gallon of her richest cream. It was quite successful, making $200, which was turned into the treasury, as shown by the first report of the treasurer, March 27th, 1839. This money was used in paying $160 for the bell, which was the first, and for many years the only, church bell in town-the same one now in use. Around this bell has clustered two legends (the only ones found in the church his- tory). One was, that it once hung in a Spanish Convent, and had been sent over to New York for sale, when
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Dr. Johnson purchased it. The other, that upon it was cast the name of one of the early vestrymen of the church. Several persons had seen some sort of inscription upon it, and curiosity was aroused. A competent, reliable man was sent to the tower to copy the inscription, when it was found to be: "A Fulton, Pittsburg," in three different places. The Ladies' Society also paid for the shutters on the old church and the matting for the floor. Mrs. Johnson was presi- dent of the society, and among the ladies prominent at this time in the work were Mrs. Mary E. Wells, Mrs. John Curtis and Mrs. Dr. Fairman, who was the poetess of the town, but nevertheless a most efficient worker. Mrs. Johnson had supervision of the work, and all was examined by her before the sales. Mrs. Dr. Wilstach, we believe, was the next president of the society. She was aided by Mrs. Hannah Howe, Mrs. D. T. Yeakel, Mrs. Thomas Wood, and other ladies of the church. The society met at the different houses. The ladies took their work and stayed to tea. Often there would be forty at the tea-table. The gen- tlemen came after tea, and spent the evening, and these meetings were considered great events in the social world. The hostess of these teas was limited by law to very simple refreshments, but some of the hospita- ble souls of those days would sometimes break the law and serve an elegant supper. During Mr. Russ' rectorate Mrs. D. T. Yeakle was president and Mrs. Russ secretary. The gentlemen were honorary mem- bers of the society at this time. The only privilege that they enjoyed was that of paying one dollar a year for membership. The fairs were held in Spencer & Taylor's Hall, and were very successful. Some time
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after this the Ladies' Society was officered by a com- mittee, called the Industrial Committee. Upon the records of the secretary of the church I find this men- tion of them, June 6th, 1872:
" Resolved, That the vestry of St. John's Church feel a full sense of the value of the untiring and suc- cessful exertions of the ladies of the Industrial Com- mittee, and others who may have co-operated with them, in relieving the pecuniary embarassments that had fallen upon the parish, and that the rector, wardens and vestrymen of St. John's do hereby make hearty acknowledment for the noble and timely efforts of the ladies in this good work.
" Resolved, That the above resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the vestry, and the secretary be instructed to present an official copy of these proceed- ings to Mesdames D. A. Collins, George West, D. T. Yeakel and John S. Pettit, the Industrial Committee."
This committee originated new methods of carry- ing on the work. Besides holding fairs, they gave a series of entertainments, that were, perhaps never ex- celled in beauty and variety, among them a Dickens' Party, held at the residence of Mrs. Judge Ball; an evening of recitation by Miss Bertha Reynolds, at the same place; an operatta-Auld Robin Gray-followed by most exquisitely beautiful tableaux, at the house of Mrs. George West. This entertainment was re- peated at the house of Mrs. Margaret Earheart-a pantomime, The Mistletoe Bough, which was given at Yeakel's Hall. There were also entertainments given at the Opera House-one of Mrs. Jarley's Wax Works, with tableaux, gotten up by Mr. J. M. Ewing, that were really works of art; also a Mother Goose
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entertainment, which was very beautiful. In 1878 the ladies published a cook book, that was, as its name in- dicates, "The Cook's Delight." This work has had a large sale, and is still selling. It was gotten up by a committee, consisting of Mrs. Gordon Ball, Mrs. D. A. Collins, Mrs. J. B. Earheart, Mrs. J. M. Ewing and Mrs. George West. In 1879 a large fair was held for three days in Blue Ribbon Hall, at which a newspaper was issued, gotten up by Mrs. J. C. Harvey and Miss A. C. Riley. This paper not only thoroughly adver- tised the fair, but added thirty-five dollars to the treasury. At this time the society was known as St. John's Ladies' Guild, which name it has ever since re-
tained. Its officers were, in 1879: Miss A. C. Riley, president; Mrs. A. O. Behm, vice-president; Miss L. Brockenbrough, secretary; Miss Emma Yundt, treas- urer; Mrs.T. A. Stuart, directress of fancy work ; Mrs. P. Lacy and Mrs. C. G. Ball, directresses of plain work.
After the death of Dr. Johnson, some of his old parishioners among the ladies felt a great desire to place in the church a memorial window for him. Mrs. M. E. Wells, we believe, originated the plan, and she, by her work and the interest on her money, accumu- lated $300 for that purpose. But at that time the church was in great need of funds, and she generously gave up her cherished plan, and gave the money to the general fund.
In October of 1879 a committee of ladies, con- sisting of Mesdames Collins, Harvey, Stockton, Ball and Miss Brockenbrough, canvassed the parish for sub- scriptions and collections, and in 1880 a committee, consisting of Mrs. Joseph Yundt, Mrs. J. C. Harvey, Mrs. Russ, Mrs. J. B. Earheart and Miss A. C. Riley,
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again canvassed the parish for funds to reopen the church. These committees were both successful, and received a vote of thanks from the vestry for their labor.
We were unable to find a full and accurate ac- count of the result of all these labors, but from the books of the treasurer of the church we gleaned the following items:
August 20th, 1860, Ladies' Sewing Society, 8800.
In 1875 the Ladies' Aid Society gave $358.30.
St. John's Guild gave $74.33.
In 1884 the Ladies' Guild gave $714 to the treasury, and paid for shades, matting, part of the floor, etc., enough to bring their donation up to $1,000.
The convention records show that in 1866 the Ladies' Aid Society gave to the church $1,000.
This year the work has been for funds to remodel the church, and for this purpose they now have in the treasury $232.
The work of the ladies is sold at annual fairs, which take place just before Christmas and Easter, in the Guild-House, and also at the Guild meetings throughout the year. They have gained a high repu- tation for the beauty and finish of their work, and have received orders from Montana, Minnesota and many other States. Their work has also been bought at Christmas and sent away-in one instance across the ocean to Paris.
The following is a list of the officers and members of the Ladies' Guild in 1887:
President-Mrs. D. A. Collins.
Vice-President-Mrs. Lucy Tucker. Secretary-Miss L. Brockenbrough. Treasurer-Mrs. D. T. Yeakel.
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Members-Mrs. W. H. Adams, Mrs. C. G. Ball, Mrs. G. F. Crary, Mrs. Mary Curtis, Mrs. M. E. Ear- heart, Mrs. E. A. Ellsworth, Mrs. G. N. Foresman, Mrs. William Garland, Mrs. J. P. Kyle, Mrs. A. Lever- ing, Mrs. J. Y. Markle, Mrs. H. W. Moore, Mrs. J. K. Pattison, Mrs. J. G. Sample, Mrs. T. A. Stuart, Mrs. Ralph Thompson, Mrs. H. W. Vinnedge, Mrs. George E. West, Mrs. Mary Winter, Mrs. Mary Wood and Mrs. Joseph Yundt.
Committee on Fancy Work-Mrs. T. A. Stuart, Mrs. H. W. Moore and Miss Brockenbrough.
Committee on Plain Work-Mrs. G. N. Foresman, Mrs. C. G. Ball, Mrs. J. Y. Markle and Mrs. Wil- liam Garland.
For the past year the ladies have also carried on a Woman's Industrial Exchange, for the purpose of furnishing a place where articles can be sold for the helping of women. It was started from a conversa- tion held by Dr. Pettis with Mr. E. A. Ellsworth. Mr. Ellsworth was a valuable worker in founding this institution. He draughted the forms, and got up the general books in which to keep the accounts, and for the first six months devoted his time to getting it in running order for the ladies. Since then it has been carried on by ladies exclusively. In this, their first year, the sales have amounted to more than $700. The officers have done most of the work, and are as fol- lows: Mrs. D. T. Yeakel, president; Mrs. W. M. Pettis, vice president ; Mrs. J. B. Earheart, secretary and treasurer.
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THE YOUNG LADIES' GUILD.
This Guild was organized the 6th of January, 1885, with sixteen active members. It was under the supervision of Mrs. George B. Williams, who was elected president. Mrs. C. B. Robertson acted as sec- retary and treasurer for the first year. It was the original idea to have none but unmarried members, with the exception of two or three officers, but as young ladies will not all remain single, they were obliged to add a few madames to the list, as some of the mem- bers changed their names. The Guild now numbers twenty-one. The initiation fee is twenty-five cents. There are twenty-four honorary members, who pay what they choose, from twenty-five cents to a dollar, for initiation fee. Quite a novel feature of the first year's work was a handsome silk quilt and sofa pillow, which was made and presented to the rector's wife. Each member collected what she could from her friends to pay for the work and share in the giving, until the handsome sum of $91.92 was realized. The bazaar of 1885 brought nearly $100, that of 1886 $150, from the table of fancy articles. For the last year Mrs. George N. Stockton has been president, and Miss Jessie Levering secretary and treasurer. This Guild has started a fund for the purchase of a new or- gan, and have ten dollars for that purpose, and also have $150 in bank to be used for the contemplated re- pairs of the church.
Active Members-Sallie Sample, Georgie Stock- ton, Gertrude Crary, Jessie Jones, May Collins, Mary Beach, Sample Pettis, Nettie Garland, Lily Garland,
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Lilian Taylor, Grace Taylor, Mrs. Eugene Brown, Mrs. George B. Williams, Mrs. Albert Stahl, Mary Jones, Ada Rochester, Mildred Adams, Mabel Lever- ing and Celia Telford.
Honorary Members-Messrs. Charles Andrew, Will C. Stuart, C. C. F. Bent, C. B. Phelps, Joe Wil- son, Mort Levering, Frank Spencer, Mrs. Mary C. Wetherell, Mr. Frank Jenners, Mr. A. B. Braden, Mr. B. Rounsaville, Mr. William Beach, Mr. C. R. Collins, Dr. R. B. Wetherell, Mr. C. A. Spencer, Dr. Joel M. Ingersoll, Messrs. J. B. Sherwood, Ira G. Howe, Henry Vinton, Charles Vinton, Robert McMullen, Frank Cary, Robert Hatcher and William Taylor.
ST. JOHN'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
This institutton, called also St. John's Children's Guild, was organized February 16th, 1884, by Mrs. William M. Pettis. IIer assistant teachers are and have been Miss Anna Jenners and Mrs, J. C. Harvey. At the first meeting there were twenty-one children present, and they began with one dollar and ninety-one cents in money. Since then 176 children have been enrolled. They vary in age from those just begin- ning to learn to sew up to those of sixteen and eigh- teen years of age. The object of this school is two- fold-to teach the children habits of industry and economy, and to add to the funds of the church. Many of the children have mothers who have no time to teach them, and quite a number of the older scholars have been so well taught that they have been employed by a lady who has many orders for fine
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needlework, and they have thus, by their work, been enabled to assist in their own maintenance. The pupils are from all classes of society and from all churches, and all are cordially welcomed. The school has re- ceived many handsome presents, both of material for work and of money, the largest donation being that of $50 from Mrs. Mary Wetherell. The children are fur- nished all the material needed, and they give their time and work in return for the instruction given. In 1884 they gave to the church treasury $171; to diocesan missions, $5; to the orphanage, $5. In 1885, to the church, $55; Sunday-school, $3.80; coal for poor, $1.50. This year the children also made a quilt and sent it to the Church Hospital at Richmond. In 1886 they gave for missions, $5; to send an organ to Attica Church, $5; articles for church, including the bulletin board, $7.25; for Charleston sufferers, $5; for putting floor in Guild House, $34.55. They also sent away two boxes of their work, to be sold for the benefit of a mission church in Florida and Montana. This year their funds will be devoted to the building fund of the church. On Christmas of each year they have sent to Bishop Knickerbacker and his wife a Christmas present of their work. In 1884, accom- panying their present, was the following Christmas . greeting, written by one of their teachers:
"A CHRISTMAS GREETING.
"Upon this happy Christmas Day, In which the world rejoices, This day so filled with carols sweet From children's happy voices; The day when all the friends abroad The kindly hearts remember,
When hearth-stone lights shine clear and bright, To glorify December.
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In memory of that greatest gift, That e'er to man was brought, We send to you, with kindest love, These gifts our hands have wrought. The children of St. John's are we, And, with a long and hearty cheer, We wish to you and all your house
A Happy Christmas and a glad New Year."
SPECIAL GIFTS TO THE CHURCH.
Around the altar of St. John's cluster many sweet and precious memories. The altar itself was the gift of Mrs. Mary Curtis, in memory of her only child, Mrs. Mattie Curtis Frey, who, in the flush of her young wifehood, passed away. She was a sweet and lovely child, and gave to the church that most valuable of all gifts-" a beautiful life the church to adorn."
Upon the altar is a handsome memorial cross in memory of our first rector, the gift of the congrega- tion. The funds for this were collected by Mrs. Judge Pettit, for many years a member of the church.
The handsome eagle lectern was given by Miss Jessie Levering, who earned the money ($95) for it by making the finely hammered-brass panels of the altar, and in other ways of work.
The pulpit was the gift of the Young Ladies' Guild, and cost $35.
The bronze vases and the Bible were formerly . used in Grace Church, and were gifts from Mrs. Ann Benbridge, an old member of St. John's and Grace, who will long be remembered as one who, in an eminent degree, possessed that charity that thinketh and speaketh no evil-a blessed and precious legacy.
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Upon the altar book is this inscription: "In the glory of God, and in memory of mother"-a memorial to a Christian mother.
The handsome communion service was the gift of Rev. Anthony Ten-Broek. Mrs. J. J. Reynolds gave a communion service of great beauty for the use of the sick, which is thus inscribed: " A thank offering, for the preservation, during the war, of General Joseph J. Reynolds by his wife."
An additional communion cup was given by Mrs. Judge Ball, in memory of her only daughter, Cornelia:
"She, the fair maiden, who, at close of day, Mortality's worn garments cast aside, And, in the holy hush of Sabbath eve,
Went through the valley with her angel guide."
Mrs. Sue B. Rose also presented to the church another communion cup, in memory of her husband, Colonel George S. Rose, for many years a vestryman in the church.
The hangings for the altar are the gift and the work of the ladies of the church. The purple set was given by Mrs. Abram Levering, and the beautiful needle work upon it was her own work. She also gave the material for the white altar cloth. The ex- quisite needle work upon this was the work of Miss Lida Brockenbrough. The designing of these was done by Dr. Pettis, who has taken great interest in this work.
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